The
founder of Wado ryu karate, Hironori Ohtsuka, was born on 1st June 1892
in Shimodate City, Ibaraji Prefecture, Japan, the first son of Dr.
Tokuiruro Ohtsuka.

He started school on the 1st April 1897 where
he studied Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu, under the supervision of
Shinzaburo Nakayama Sensei, the third Grand Master of this style of
Jujitsu. Unlike the other schools of jujitsu at the time, Yoshin Ryu
specialised in kicking and punching techniques in addition to throwing,
twisting and locking techniques.

The
essence of this art lays emphasis upon the nature and the grace of
movement. It was originally inspired by Yoshitoki Akiyama Sensei after
observing how the willow tree laden with snow yielded to the elements
of nature, yet maintained its versatility and flexibility to outside
forces without damage. This study of movement impressed upon the young
Ohtsuka the importance of natural flowing movements. These lessons play
a major part in today’s Wado karate. In defence and attacking
techniques the use of the opponent’s body and weight and movement play
an equally significant role in defeating your enemy as your own body
movements.

Ohtsuka
continued his Jujitsu studies whilst at Waseda University from 1910 to
1917 reading commerce. He also studied different styles of the art,
experimenting between styles while concentrating on their “positive
quality”. During his period he was able to examine the techniques of
other Martial Arts. He developed and improved certain techniques,
combining them with other “innovative” movements. Whilst studying
Jujitsu, Ohtsuka learned a great deal about the body’s “vital points”
both for attacking and healing purposes, he also studied the art of
“bone setting”.

In 1917 Ohtsuka joined the Kawasaki Bank; also
during the year he met Morihei Ueshiba Sensei, the founder of Aikido;
this was to prove a deep and influential friendship. After two years at
the bank Ohtsuka decided to become a full time martial artist against
the wishes of his mother. Out of respect for her and his family he
postponed his ambitions, but continued to study Jujitsu.

The
1922 Sports Festival in Tokyo was to see a continuation of his
obsession with all Martial Arts. For the first time, Ohtsuka was to
encounter Karate. Gichin Funakoshi Sensei (1886 - 1957) was invited by
the Japanese Education Department to demonstrate his style of Okinawan
Karate (Tode).

Ohtsuka
was impressed with this newly promoted Martial Art. He visited
Funakoshi Sensei on numerous occasions during his stay, discussing
techniques and other aspects of Karate. Funakoshi Sensei prolonged his
visit by invitation from the Japanese Education Department. He was
“impressed” by Ohtsuka’s enthusiasm and determination to understand
Karate and agreed to teach him all he knew about the Art. Within the
space of a year Ohtsuka Sensei had studied all the katas that Funakoshi
had brought from Okinawa, although he had difficulty executing certain
movements and techniques which he found difficult to understand. This
led Ohtsuka in his search for a deeper understanding of karate to
practice kata with Mabuni Sensei, the founder of Shuto-Ryu Karate

In
1925 Ohtsuka’s mother died and was left in a period of indecision about
his career. Three years later he left Kawasaki Bank and set up a “bone
setting” practice, similar to a small hospital. His prowess in the
Martial Arts had led him to be appointed the Chief instructor of Shindo
Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu and an assistant instructor at Funakoshi Sensei’s
dojo.

At
this time Okinwan Karate only concentrated upon kata, Ohtsuka thought
that the full spirit of Budo, which, concentrates both upon defence and
attack, was missing. Meanwhile he had been developing Yakusoko Kumite
to compensate for the lack of attacking techniques. He thought there
was a need for a more fluid type of Karate and decided to leave
Funakoshi Sensei to concentrate on developing his own style of Karate,
Wado-Ryu.

In 1934 Grand Master Hironori Otsuka
established his own organisation called "Dai Nihon Karate-do Shinko
Club" which was the parent organisation of Wado-Ryu Karate-Do. When
first registered with the Japanese Butokukai in 1939 the style was
called 'Shinshu Wadoryu Karate-Jutsu', a name which reflects the hybrid
nature of Wado.

What is Wado?

The name Wado-Ryu comes from the idea of TEN to CHI to JIN no RI_DO ni WA suru.

The
Kanji TEN means sky, heaven and the air, CHI stands for earth, the soil
and the ground. JIN represents men, mankind and human beings. RI_DO
means reason and truth. WA stands for the sum of a whole, peace and
harmony. These definitions are the peace and harmony. These definitions
are kanji's literal meanings, but imply many other concepts and symbols
which encompass the existing world such as sunlight, rain harvesting
crops, desire, love etc. The phrase TEN toCHI to JIN no RI_DO ni WA
suru, connects all these symbols and concepts together with TEN, (sky)
CHI (ground) and JIN (human beings). Represented as three circles,
meaning the basic principles. If those combinations are naturally
executed then WA (harmony) is created and that is represented by a
larger circle that encompasses all the other principles.

Creating
harmony - WA is the most difficult condition to attain in the martial
arts. In order to do this you have to sharpen your intellect not only
through physical training but mental training as well.

The
martial arts is not a sport. Whereas sports are concerned with the
concept of winning, martial arts are concerned with the idea of
growing. The philosophy of Wado-Ryu can help a person grow in any area
of life